Start Over

Neural functional correlates of empathic face processing.

Authors :: Del Casale A
Kotzalidis GD
Rapinesi C
Janiri D
Aragona M
Puzella A
Spinazzola E
Maggiora M
Giuseppin G
Tamorri SM
Vento AE
Ferracuti S
Sani G
Pompili M
Girardi P
Source :: Neuroscience letters [Neurosci Lett] 2017 Aug 10; Vol. 655, pp. 68-75. Date of Electronic Publication: 2017 Jul 01.
Publication Year :: 2017
Abstract: Objectives: Empathy is a human trait related to the ability to share someone else's feelings, and emotional face processing is one of its measures. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) studies showed significant neural correlates of empathic face processing. We aimed to identify those brain areas most consistently involved in empathy for emotional faces.<br />Methods: We carried ALE meta-analysis of whole-brain data from fMRI studies during empathic face-processing tasks. We included 23 studies conducted on a total of 568 participants (247 males and 321 females, mean age 32.2 years).<br />Results: Emotional vs. control faces processing significantly correlated with activations of the left anterior cingulate cortex (BA 32), right precentral gyrus (BA 6), left amygdala, right superior frontal gyrus (BA 9), left middle occipital gyrus (BA 37), right insula (BA 13), left putamen, and left posterior cingulate cortex (BA 31).<br />Conclusions: Empathy is a complex process correlating with bi-hemispheric cortico-limbic activations involved in emotional cue processing, self-other/same-different discrimination, perspective-taking, theory of mind, emotional arousal, and decision-making.<br /> (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)